Candied Fennel Topped Lemon Cake Food

FENNEL UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• For the fennel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in 3/4 cup water, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the fennel, salt and lemon juice, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is reduced by three-quarters, about 15 minutes. Spread the candied fennel evenly over the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Set aside to cool slightly.
• For the cake: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, olive oil, lemon zest and fennel pollen. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk until just combined. Pour the batter evenly over the candied fennel. Place in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean, 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert the cake onto a plate to cool completely.
• For the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the raspberry jam, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons warm water.
• Sprinkle the cake with a few picked fennel fronds. Slice into wedges and serve with a spoonful of the sauce.

FLOURLESS ALMOND-HONEY CAKE WITH CANDIED LEMON

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Brush the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and line the bottom with parchment. Brush the parchment with more olive oil and dust with almond flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk the almond flour, potato starch and salt in a medium bowl. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup honey, the lemon zest, 4 egg yolks, vanilla and almond extracts, and the olive oil in a large bowl; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the almond flour mixture until just incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, beat the 6 egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar until stiff glossy peaks form, about 3 more minutes. Gently fold about one-third of the beaten egg whites into the batter, then fold in the rest until just incorporated (it's OK if some white streaks remain). Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is golden and springs back when lightly pressed, 50 to 55 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. (Don't worry if the cake falls slightly in the center.)
• Meanwhile, make the topping: Place the lemon slices in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer over high heat, about 3 minutes; drain and return to the pan. Cover with fresh water; bring to a simmer and drain. Repeat one more time with fresh water. Return to the saucepan and add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup honey, the lemon juice and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lemon slices are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Run a thin knife around the edge of the cake, then remove the springform ring. Use a spatula to transfer the cake to a serving plate (remove the parchment). Remove the candied lemon slices from the syrup with a fork. Brush the cake all over with some of the lemon-honey syrup, then top with the candied lemon, almonds and pomegranate seeds. Serve with the remaining syrup on the side.

CANDIED-LEMON POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Make the pound cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, then line with parchment paper in two overlapping strips, leaving an overhang. Butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Grate the zest of 1 1/2 lemons and remove the remaining zest in wide strips with a vegetable peeler. Juice both lemons into a small bowl; set aside.
• Whisk the eggs, egg yolk, 1/4 cup heavy cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a medium bowl until slightly foamy; set aside. Beat the butter and 1 cup cane sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, then beat on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 6 to 7 minutes, adding the grated lemon zest after about 5 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour until just combined. Gradually add the egg mixture and beat until combined. Scrape down the bowl; increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy, 15 to 30 seconds.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until golden and the top springs back when gently pressed, 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the lemon syrup: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the lemon zest strips and cook 1 minute; drain. Repeat twice, using fresh water each time; drain and transfer the lemon zest to a cutting board. Wipe out the saucepan.
• Thinly slice the lemon zest strips and return to the saucepan along with the reserved lemon juice, the remaining 1/4 cup cane sugar and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar; cook until slightly reduced, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve; reserve the syrup and candied zest.
• Remove the cake from the oven, transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pan. Poke 12 holes in the top of the cake, then brush with half the lemon syrup. Let soak 5 minutes, then lift the cake from the pan and remove the parchment. Transfer to a rack. Poke a few holes in the sides of the cake, then brush all over with the remaining lemon syrup. Let cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Combine the confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl and whisk until thick and smooth; thin with the remaining 1 tablespoon heavy cream, if needed. Spoon the glaze over the cooled cake and top with the candied lemon zest. Let set at least 20 minutes.